Welcome to Kansas from a native Kansan! Don't know when you are moving--but if you are in Overland Park (suburb on the KS side of KC) Jun 15-17, the KC Regional Quilt Fest is happening at the Overland Park Convention Center. AS already mentioned, KC is only about 1hr south of Mo. Star Quilt Co in Hamilton, MO. KC and Wichita are both metropolitan areas with all that has to offer. Also, regardless of what you maybe learned in history, the Civil War started in eastern KS with "Bleeding Kansas" in 1850's so there's many historical sites, and several towns have festivals throughout the year. Ever been to a rodeo? You'll be able to go to one in KS during the summer/fall months. MacPherson has a Scots Highland Festival every year, plus Wichita has their Riverwalk with different events throughout the summer. Also, keep in mind that KS is the center of the USA! And while some my see our geography as "barren"--there is nothing more awe inspiring than driving thru the Flint Hills--you can easily image traveling via covered wagon as you travel through them. And you will want to see the burning off of the prairie grasses in the spring. But the best part? we are a very friendly people!

I I wish I was in your shoes!!! If I didn't love my daughters so much I would return in a heart beat. My dad was raised in Wellington, KS and worked for Boeing in Wichita - we lived in Mulvane. Boeing transferred us to Seattle. My dad said it was a good move since there were no tornados in WA - we were in Seattle area maybe a month when they had a tornado..... My grandparents and aunt and uncle and other family members lived in various parts of KS. There isn't one day since the day we left that I haven't wanted to move home. (My mother was born in Burlington, KS and raised in Emporia - they met at KU.)

My mother always said I had a "romantic" view of Kansas, but when I go back I always feel like I am home. My aunt, my mom's sister, has be PhD in biology from UCLA - she inherited the family home and lives there 6 months out of the year, the other half she is LA because that is where her children are. She understands how I feel. I go back as often as I can - at least once a year to put flowers on the family graves.

The Flint Hills is the oldest mountain range in the US. They are beautiful and the wild flowers are always beautiful. My grandfather once said whenever he was traveling (they always took a long vacation in the summer since he was a teacher) he knew when he was back in KS by the way be was treated at the filling stations. People always talked to him. And you could tell where the people were from if they are driving their own car, because the county is identified on the license plate. So if you are friendly, they will be friendly too. Probably why you son wants to stay there.

My sister worked at the newspaper in Burlington after she graduated from college - she was left go when she became engaged back in 1975, but she was planning to move back to Ellensburg WA to be closer to our parents, but not too close.

Okay, I will stop, I am still very envious and hope your move goes well and you are happy.

Wichita has several great quilts shops. Lots to do in Kansas . Just google things to see and do in Wichita. Also google quilt shops. Have a friend that belong to a guild there, but don't know the guilds name. Also big quilt show there. Just check it out and welcomed to Kansas.

You don't say when you are moving. There is a regional quilt show in Overland Park KS in June. Google first r info. While you may not be there for it, you might make contact for info about quilting activities where you are going.

We live in the prairie of Illinois. My SIL thinks its boring too, but I say every place has it's beauty if you look for it. Yes, the mountains are spectacular, but I love the crops all in rows coming up out of the rich black earth and the gorgeous sunsets and black star lit skies. Find your own beauty in KS and you will be happy. Best of luck in your move and relocation, and the best thing about KS will be seeing your son more frequently.

I live in KS, only an hour way from Wichita. There are several quilt stores in Wichita, one in Hutchinson, MacPherson and a little one in White Sides. I'm sure there are more tiny local ones that I still don't know about. You generally here about them from the locals folks!
I'm originally from New Zealand, so I understand about being worried about the flat prairie! I thought KS had nothing to offer when I first moved here. But I have grown to love it. I live where an Amish Community is settled and every year, on the last Saturday of August, they throw a very family friendly festival day called Yoder Day. We go every year. Every March, for the entire month, small local businesses show off and sell Amish made quilts. I love seeing them all! It is called the "Parade of Quilts".
Then the State Fair comes to Hutchinson every year. That's always fun. The quilts are stunning.
Hutchinson has a space museum that DH and I love. There are the salt mines you can visit in Hutchinson too.
I'm sure you will find you will enjoy KS:)

Oh and if you want a good place to eat out, Carriage Crossing in Yoder is voted as one of the best restraurants in KS!:)

YAY, Newton is actually one of the places we're looking into moving to!

me too, lol!!